Netflix Tudum 2025: Forever, BET, and More

Streaming live on May 31 was Netflix Tudum 2025, a celebration of fandom and culture-defining storytelling showcasing Netflix’s biggest films, shows, stars and creators. Held at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, viewers in-person and online were able to get exclusive sneak previews and trailers for their current and future favorite shows and movies set to release on Netflix’s digital streaming platform. Amongst the audience of stars and creators were black actors, actresses and creators that we’d like to highlight. 

BET

Japanese manga Kakegurui turns live-action in the newly released Netflix show Bet. Bet follows elite teens at St. Dominic’s as they navigate a social hierarchy determined by an underground gambling scene. Simon Barry, the series’ director and showrunner, notes that Bet was never intended to be a loyal adaptation of Kakegurui but rather something “‘birthed’ from the source material that inspired a new take — one that pays homage to it and doesn’t try to replace it. 

Released on May 15, Bet’s cast includes Ayo Solanke as Ryan and Eve Edwards as Mary. Ayo Solanke is a 22-year-old Nigerian-born British actor most recently known for his role in Clown in a Cornfield. He first made his feature film debut in “Tales from the Hood 3,” and continued to build his filmography with “Sniper: Rogue Mission” and upcoming A24 film “Altar.” 

While Bet is not Eve Edwards’s first introduction to acting, her role as Mary is her most notable one yet. Eve Edwards is a 24-year-old actress from Canada and was previously known for her role as Rhiannon in the psychological thriller, The Bad Orphan.

Forever 

Netflix’s adaptation of Judy Blume’s novel Forever premiered on May 8th and was an immediate fan favorite. Mara Brock Akil, showrunner and executive producer, says that she was honored and thrilled to work on this project alongside author Judy Blum. Akil was excited to bring to life a story “where the idea of your first love being with you forever is shared with the world through the lens of Black love.” Forever follows two Black teens as they navigate teen romance and the awkward journey of being each other’s firsts. It has already been renewed for a second season. 

26-year-old and Bronx native Lovie Simone is having another breakout moment with her lead role in Forever. Her first breakout role was in the OWN church drama Greenleaf and then as Selah Summers in Selah and the Spades. She was highlighted in the Variety Power of Young Hollywood report two times, and is a steadily rising actress. 

Michael Cooper Jr., the series’ male lead, is a 23-year-old recent Texas Tech graduate. He got his start in acting at the age of 9 and began seriously pursuing a career in 2020. He was featured in an episode of Vindication and later, The Inhabitant and Infraction.

One Piece 

Netflix’s live-action adaptation of the second season of One Piece is set to release in 2026 and we can expect a continuation of the action-packed, fan-favorite story. We can also expect to properly meet the beloved reindeer doctor, Tony Tony Chopper. His appearance at Netflix Tudum 2025 was equal parts adorable and hilarious. 

Jacob Romero is a 28-year-old American actor who first got his start on the American medical drama The Residence. He went on to play Gabriel in Snake Eyes. Since then, he’s best known for his role as Usopp in One Piece. 

The Rip

The trailer for crime thriller The Rip had us on the edge of our seats. With a star studded cast, The Rip follows a team of Miami cops as they discover millions in cash in a stash house. The team’s trust in each other is tested as outside forces learn about the cash. Writer-director Joe Carnahan drew inspiration for the film from his friend’s experience as head of tactical narcotics for the Miami Dade police department and from his love for “those classic ‘70’s cop thrillers that really valued the character and interpersonal relationships and became touchstones of that era.” 

Amongst the cast is Teyana Taylor, American singer, actress, dancer, choreographer, director, and model. She first got her start through Pharrell William’s Star Trak Entertainment imprint before being featured on MTV’s My Super Sweet 16. Taylor has made a name for herself in every industry, and her talent speaks for itself. We’re excited to see her in The Rip.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery 

The Knives Out franchise returns with Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. Benoit Blanc returns to solve his “most dangerous case yet” and from the trailer, we can expect to see a darker, spine-chilling take on the series. Rian Johnson describes his casting method as hosting a “dinner party,” in which he handpicks actors he thinks will fit the role and hopes they’ll work well together. Luckily, as Johnson notes, “[the cast] are all lovely folks who get along, which is the dinner party aspect of it.” 

Kerry Washington, the star of fan-favorite Scandal, is a new suspect in the third Knives Out installment. Washington is an actress, television show producer and a film director. While she is known for Scandal, she has also been in a number of music videos, TV shows, and movies. We’ll have to wait until December 12 to learn more about Kerry Washington’s character in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. 

Want more FOREVER content? Check out our review on the Judy Blume classic here.